The best deal at Costco? Hint: it’s not the fresh produce, flat panel TV’s, or apparel. It’s the company’s stock (full disclosure: I own some). From a low of $93 last September, it’s now north of $115 — a not-too-shabby 24% return (more if you annualize it). Runner-up bargain: the CEO, who works for a...Read More
Gas Price Sticker Stock in the Twin Cities Once upon a time — like, until yesterday — savvy motorists (and Costco members) knew to head to Costco’s gas pumps whenever prices jumped. Like they did Wednesday. A LOT. That’s because Costco’s gas prices notoriously lagged other stations’ price changes by a full day. Not anymore....Read More
From the Mouths of Babes [Editor’s Note: my blog posts the past week have more been more intermittent — and spiced with NY anecdotes — because I just returned from there. Memo to self: put away the sharp elbows and aggressive driving (adaptive in NY, but out-of-place in the more congenial, laid-back Midwest.] Compiling an exhaustive list...Read More
Life Stages It occurred to me, waiting in line the other day, that you’re defined — at least a little bit — by the lines you stand in. Here’s my snapshot of various life stages and the things they go with: Age 15: the new Star Wars movie (or today’s equivalent). Age 40: the new...Read More
Full Parking LotThe St. Louis Park Costco (just southwest of 394 and 100) and nearby stores (Home Depot, Rainbow, Office Max, etc.) seem to be a fixture in my life. So, I noticed that the parking lot in front of the nearby PetSmart was unusually full all week. The explanation? The new Panera next to...Read More
